The software consists of a core analysis engine (which processes the test data from R&SROMES and dispatches it to a
number of analysis plug-ins) and a user interface that displays
the results in a clearly organized form.
The NPA uses dedicated analysis plug-ins for each of the
tasks involved in post-processing the data. This modern architecture means that the software can be expanded quickly and
easily to handle new or highly specialized tasks by creating
special analysis plug-ins (e.g. to identify uplink interference
or to support new standards like LTE) or by implementing
new views in the user interface to enhance the presentation
of results. The optional software development kit (SDK) is also
simple to use, enabling even users with a limited knowledge
of programming to create their own plug-ins for any kind of
drive test data processing.
FIG 1 A section of the page displayed when the R&SROMES NPA starts: It explains the basic workflow to help users familiarize themselves with the
software quickly.
NEWS 199/09 7
Easy-to-use interface
The R&SROMES network problem analyzer software has a
user-friendly browser-like interface designed to guide network
optimizers and field engineers easily through the workflow.
The start page contains all of the main functions and explains
how these work together (FIG 1). It also includes links that
display detailed views. This makes learning to use the software a simple process and enables users to produce usable
results exceptionally fast. The results are displayed as problem lists, as tables of transactions, and as pie and bar charts
of statistics (FIG 2).
Users can run the R&SROMES drive test software directly
from any item in the problem lists. The software presents a
problem area as a combination of time and location information, ready for deeper analysis. Due to this drill-down ability,
which is performed automatically via a menu entry, it is not
necessary to replay the test file at the desired point. This significantly accelerates file loading, especially with large files
(FIGs 4 and 5). Users can increase and reduce the content
of individual pages easily using drag-and-drop. For instance,
they can drag additional results into the analysis view and
extend tables and charts by inserting more data.
The analysis modules (called test data processors) are configured through the user interface. The settings for these modules can be combined to create comprehensive analysis configurations e.g. to evaluate specific campaigns at a lower
or higher threshold, or to confine processing to specific types
of analyses.
test files.
FIG 4 A simple
mouse click is all it
takes to drill down
from a problem
spot into a detailed
R&SROMES analysis.
FIG 5 R&SROMES
synchronizes instantly
with the NPA.
NEWS 199/09 9
that is greater than the sum of its parts. This new and powerful tool from Rohde&Schwarz delivers advanced post-processing functionalities that complement R&SROMES and
R&SROMES2GO* to create a comprehensive drive test
portfolio.
Additional analysis modules are currently being developed.
These include a module for problem analysis during LTE network setup and an IP analyzer for failed data transactions that
can identify where precisely a problem has occurred during
call setup or data transmission, along with possible causes.
Likewise in the pipeline are new visualizations for the user
interface, additional filtering options, and user-configurable
views. The software will also include print-ready views to
enable users to produce reports based on R&SROMES data
and will allow analysis results to be stored in a database to
enable even larger volumes of drive test data to be managed
and evaluated efficiently.
Andreas Christiansen
* All the trumps in one hand with R&SROMES2GO. News from Rohde&Schwarz
(2008) No. 198, pp 69
FIG 6 The editor for the general signal processor enables users to create their own analysis modules by combining basic components to form complex
test data processors.
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